iHandy Torch iPhone review

In a move that’s almost certain to bring my writing career to a crashing halt, I am about to review… a torch. You heard me, Mobotniks.

But before you inevitably question my journalistic integrity, know this: I’ve just spent the past 20 minutes standing in a room with no windows, pushing iTorch to its very limits and quite possibly damaging my eyes beyond repair. That’s dedication. Furthermore, iTorch is one of the most popular free apps in the App Store; you deserve to know what you’re missing out on (if anything).

Have you ever tried using your iPhone as a light in the middle of the night? It’s not very good, is it? Even with the brightness setting cranked, the best you can hope for is a vague glow. Enter: iHandy Torch.

iHandy Torch has a surprising number of practical applications, such as melting the eyes of unsuspecting 3am intruders with Strobe. If you ever find yourself stuck up a mountain, there’s S.O.S, which uses the light to cry for help in Morse code; it’s a simple addition, but one that could prove to be a genuine life saver. On a lighter note, iHandy Torch also features Glow Sticks for those of you who regularly attend illegal raves. Or legal raves, it’s all good.

The app is rather well designed, with an attractive 3x4 layout on the main menu. Tap on a particular option and its icon will flip to display a mini preview. Tap again and the light launches full screen. A quick shake of your iPhone from the main menu will instantly yield iHandy Torch’s brightest flashlight, ideal for those late night trips to the loo. You can also adjust the brightness from within each light with a simple swipe up or down.

For 59p, you can upgrade to iHandy Torch Pro, which has over 60 lights in total. There’s Candles, Lighters and Incandescent Light Bulbs, but really all you need is the standard flashlight - and it’s free. Oh, that’s unless you’re put off by the 1cm advert for Pro at the bottom of the screen.

Pros

Bright

Life-saving S.O.S mode

Well designed

Cons

It’s just a light, really

Ads in the free app

Strobe light should seriously carry an epilepsy warning

Summary: It’s a light. A bright light. iHandy Torch does exactly as you’d hope, and does it well. Need help finding your way to the bathroom at 3am? iHandy Torch is for you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must go and rest my eyes.